Newquay church applies to convert former Lloyds Bank building

An application has been submitted to turn the former Lloyds Bank building in Newquay into a place of worship and community hub.

The Blaze Church, which currently operates from part of the Tall Trees nightclub building, is seeking permission to change the use of the former restaurant and bar - last used by Wax - into a church with community facilities.

The building on Bank Street is around 418 square metres in size. Plans include using the ground floor for a meeting and community space, while the first floor would accommodate activity rooms, toilets, and offices.

According to the application, the church is funded by donations from its community and hopes to use the space to support a wide range of people in Newquay. 

The church says the building is in a "dilapidated state" and requires significant repairs and renovations. This could include replacing the roof, doors and windows, new flooring, a commercial kitchen, and upgrades to electrics, heating and fire safety.

Funding is also being sought to employ one or two full-time staff members to manage the building and run community activities. 

The application outlines a range of proposed uses for the building, including a free playgroup for babies and toddlers, where volunteers would supervise children while parents relax elsewhere in the building with access to support and training; a free drop-off service for children from Foundation to Year 6; a free after-school club offering games, snacks, and homework help; and a weekly youth group for Year 7 to 13 students, focusing on relationship-building and faith-based teaching. 

The church also proposes hosting social evenings with refreshments and activities such as games, crafts, quizzes and films; a drop-in service offering hot drinks and friendly conversation; and providing a space for teaching and training, including courses on topics such as faith, parenting and marriage, as well as external group sessions. 

The building would also act as a meeting point for the church’s befriending service, Two’s Company, which supports some of the most isolated people in Newquay.